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Ex-Blackburn midfielder Basturk announces retirement

Former Blackburn Rovers player Yildiray Basturk has announced his retirement at the age of 32, according to transfermarkt.de.

Basturk, a German born Turkish international, began his career at lower league club Wattenscheid 09. He later moved to VfL Bochum, were he made a name for himself and was later bought by Bayer Leverkusen where he reached the DFB Cup and Champions League finales as well as finishing League runner up in his first season. The next year, he was nominated for the Turkish national side which finished in fourth place at the 2002 Korea Japan World Cup.

After 73 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen, the 5ft 6' midfielder moved to the capital city of Berlin, to play for Hertha BSC. Following three successful years in which he played 71 games and scored 14 times, he moved to VfB Stuttgart. After 31 appearances during an unsuccessful time at Stuttgart, his contract was terminated in late 2009.

In January 2010, he signed a 6 month contract at Blackburn Rovers, where he only made a 45 minute appearance against Wolverhampton Wanderers. That remained his only appearance for the Rovers, as his contract was not extended.

Talking to transfermarkt.de Basturk said: "I purposely didn't make the step down to the lower divisions. I didn't want to torture myself through that!"

He added:" I ended my career at the top, which is what fits me more."

Yildiray Bastuerk was capped 49 times for the Turkish national team. After he wasn't nominated for the Euro 2008 by Fatih Terim, he declared his retirement from international football for as long as Terim is in charge.